Envelope fastener



y 1930-- G. A. HOLMES 1,756,946

ENVELOPE FASTENER Filed Sept. 11. 1928 Patented May 6, .1930

PATET Geri-cs UNITED STATES GEORGE A. HOLMES, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO UNITED-CARR FASTENER CORPORATION, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHU- SETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS I I ENVELOPE FASTENEB Application filed September 11, 1928. Serial No. 305,242. I

This invention relates to envelope fasteners and similar devices and more especially to that type of fastener which prevents re-use of the envelope. Such envelopes are used chiefly in the mailing of valuable papers such as stock certificates, bonds, and the like, and they are of such a nature as to make it impossible to open the envelope without leaving behind ample evidence of such act. Y

It is the chief object of the invention to devise a fastener for such purpose which can be manufactured economically while at the same time being simple in construction and entirely reliable in use.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelope equipped with fasteners embodying this invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the socket and stud members, respectively, of the fastener; and

Figure 4 is a section through the fastener in its locked condition.

Figure 1 shows an envelope of a common type equipped with two fasteners constructed in accordance with this invention. Each of these fasteners includes a socket (2) and a stud member (3), the socket members being secured to the body portion a of the envelope, While the stud members are fastened to the fla Z).

The detailed construction of these two members is'clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the socket member (2) comprises a metal shell having an upturned margin (4), from which a'series of pointed prongs or spurs project. These spurs are designed to be forced through the wall of the envelope and then bent over or clinched to anchor the member securely to the envelope, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. When so secured the rest of the margin of the member (2) holds the main body of this member spaced from the Wall of the envelope. Preferably a short extension (6) is provided on the member (2) at what may be termed the front edge of this member and a slot (7) is formed in the main body of the member ('2) and opens at (15) through the front side of the body just about the'extension (6). A piece of relatively stiff resilient wire (8) is located inside of and against the margin (4), the wire being bent to conform to the outline of the shell, and it is held in this position by fingers (9) projecting from the margin (4) and bent downwardly. over the wire. The end portions of thiswire are bent backwardly away from the front wall of the shell and their extremities (10) overlap the slot (7),as clearly shown in Figure r The stud member (3) also is made of sheet metal and includes a base having several prongs or spurs (12) struck up from it'and adapted to be forced through the flap 5 and clinched over to secure the stud to the flap. This member also includes a relatively flat head (13) which is connected to the base by a tubular neck (14). In fastening the stud member to the flap Z) a hole is punched through the flap to receive the head (13), and the prongs (12) are then forced through the 'flap and bent over as shown in Figure 4.

In using the envelope, the papers and documents are enclosed in it and the necks (13) of the two studs are then slipped into the slots (7 of their respective socket members. It will be clear from inspection of Figure 2 that the slot (7) is Wide enough to admit the neck 14) of the stud, but is not as Wide as the head (13) The aperture (15) in the front wall of the margin (4), however, is wide enough to admit the head as it is moved edgewise toward the left, Figure 2. The neck (14) engages the inclined ends (10) of the wire (8) and pushes them outof the way, but they then snap in behind the neck 14) and prevent any reverse movement of the stud. The memtion, which securely locks the envelope, is easily applied, and which can be manufac-' tured very economically. It is also contemplated that the fastener can be used on containers of other forms than envelopes, but which, so far as this invention is concerned, are the equivalents of envelopes.

Vhile I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new is: V

1. An envelope fastener comprising a stud member having a base adapted to be secured to an envelope and a head connected with said base by a neck; and a socket member including a metal shell adapted to be fastened to an envelope and provided with a slot into which said stud may be entered with the head in an edgewise position only, and'a resiliently supported member in said shell arranged to be pushed out of the way by the movement of said stud into said slot and cooperating with the wall of said shell to lock said stud against movement out of the slot.

2. An envelope fastener comprising a stud member having a base adapted to be secured to an envelope and a head connected with said base by a neck; and a socket member including a metal shell adapted to be fastened to an envelope and provided with a slot into which said stud may be entered with the head in an edgewise position only, and a spring having two inclined end portions overlapping said slot and arranged to be pushed out of the way by the movement of said stud into the slot, but operative to prevent backward movement of the stud.

. GEORGE A. HOLMES. 

